Chapter 7 Marco led Delilah to a spacious room with rich , dark wooden floors and tall windows that bathed the space in a soft evening glow . On one side of the room , a grand library stretched from floor to ceiling , filled with books that looked untouched . The room smelled of leather and old paper , adding to the quiet intimacy of the setting . Once they reached the center of the room , Marco turned toward her , a faint smirk playing on his lips . In his mind , he recalled their last encounter . He had told her they would see each other again , and now here they were . The thought made him feel a spark of excitement , one he couldn't quite suppress , despite his cool demeanor . Even though he had ordered Gino to dig up information on her , Gino had come back empty - handed . No matter . He'd discovered her secret himself . " So , " Marco began , almost mockingly , " the Holy bride works in a club , huh ? As a pole dancer . And quite the experienced lap dancer too . " 0.00 % 13.03 m Chapter 7 Delilah stiffened but refused to show any reaction . She knew he was referring to that night in the club . Inwardly , she thought , " Marco is such a self - righteous hypocrite . " Ever since her encounter with him , she had felt like she was being watched , stalked even . Your herS The same man who had walked in with Marco tonight - Gino - had been lurking around the club every night after their encounter , always waiting by the door . Thankfully , Delilah had never given anyone at the club her phone number or home address for security reasons . That had made it harder for Marco's man to track her down . " He must've done all that because he wanted to have me in his bed , " Delilah thought bitterly , " like all the other VIPs . " Not one to stay silent , she shot back , " And to think the so - called responsible and nice man would be at a club , getting involved with other women . " She raised an eyebrow , her tone biting . They were both right in their accusations , but Delilah wasn't about to let him lead the conversation . She had her own agenda . Without missing a beat , she diverted the conversation to the real reason she had followed him to this room . " Since you're not interested in 11.36 % 13.03 Chapter 7 marrying me , why don't you just call off the wedding ? " Her voice was calm , but inside , her nerves tingled with anticipation . She wanted him to end it . Wors It would save her from rejecting him herself , which would break her aunt ' s heart . Marco's response wasn't what she expected . He let out a dark chuckle , the kind that made a shiver run down Delilah's spine before she quickly composed herself . The look in his eyes was dangerous , amused , like he was enjoying the game they were playing . He raised an eyebrow and stepped closer to her . Delilah stood her ground , refusing to back away . She was interested in his response , determined to hear him , say he didn't want her . She needed him to reject this marriage . But instead , Marco's words caught her off guard . " I won't stop the marriage , " he said smoothly , his voice low . Delilah's brow furrowed , and she raised an eyebrow in confusion . 25 129 13 03 Chapter 7 Marco continued , his eyes glinting with something darker . " I was thinking about stopping it , actually . I thought my bride would be a flat , boring woman who wasn't my type . " His gaze roamed over her body , taking in every curve , and his lips curled into a predatory smile . " But now that I've seen you in person , you're exactly what I want . Well - endowed , confident ... I'll marry you . " Delilah's breath hitched , heat rising in her cheeks . His gaze was intense , and his words made her heart race . Marco raised a hand to brush her cheek , but before he could touch her , Delilah slapped it away , hard . " Don't touch me ," she snapped , her voice sharp . Marco took a step back , his eyes narrowing slightly as he shoved his hands into his pockets . The sting on his hand from Delilah's slap still lingered , but he masked it with a calm expression . There was no point in pushing her further - at least not yet . " You think I want this any more than you do ? " he said coolly . " I'm only doing this for my own reasons . I'm just as stuck in this marriage as you are . I can't back out of it , even if I wanted to . " Delilah crossed her arms , her gaze steady and firm . 35,76 % 13.030 Chapter 7 Marco's words didn't surprise her . 1 208 Vouchers Of course , this marriage was about convenience for him , just like it was for her . But the fact that he wasn't willing to call it off still irked her . Without saying another word , she turned on her heel and walked out of the room , her footsteps firm and determined . Marco watched her go , his eyes lingering on her retreating form . His thoughts drifted back to the slap - how her hand had connected with his , leaving it slightly red . It had stung more than he'd expected , not just physically , but because no woman had ever dismissed him like that . Every other woman he had ever touched had practically melted , eager to submit to him . But Delilah ? She slapped him away like he was nothing . " Interesting , " Marco muttered under his breath , glancing at his hand again . She was unlike anyone he'd ever met . Delilah , meanwhile , strode toward the dining hall to find her aunt . She was done with Marco's games for the night , and there was no point in staying longer when he wasn't willing to call off the engagement . As she neared the hall , she heard voices - Mary and the grandfather 12.32 % 13:03 Chapter 7 talking in hushed tones . 11 2 Mouchers The grandfather's voice , though calm , carried an edge of finality . " Delilah sarà al sicuro con noi . " ( " Delilah will be safe with us . " ) Delilah couldn't quite make out the words . Italian was always difficult for her to fully translate , despite her heritage . She was raised more in English , and translating Italian in her mind was slow . But the grandfather s voice trailed off the moment he noticed her presence by the door . Mary was about to respond when the grandfather coughed abruptly , cutting her off . The sound filled the room with an awkward tension . Mary turned and saw Delilah standing there , and quickly plastered on a fake smile . " Oh , Delilah , you're here , " Mary said, her voice a little too bright . " We were just starting to talk about the wedding preparations . " Delilah raised an eyebrow , sensing that something off Was She knew her aunt well enough to tell when she was pretending , and right now , Mary was hiding something . But Delilah played along , a smile curling her lips . " It's getting late . We should head home . " 62.52 % 13.04 Chapter 7 Mary blinked , caught off guard by the sudden suggestion . " So soon ? What about Marco ? " 17 years Marco approached them from behind , his expression neutral as always . The grandfather glanced down at his wristwatch and nodded . " È vero . Sta facendo tardi . " ( " It's true . It's getting late . " ) He turned to Marco . " Marco dovrebbe accompagnarti fuori . " ( " Marco should escort you out . " ) Mary smiled , clearly relieved . But Delilah caught the fake enthusiasm in her aunt's expression , matching it with a forced smile of her own . She stepped closer to the grandfather and politely kissed the back of his hand . " Good night , sir , " she said politely . The grandfather smiled warmly , though there was depth behind his gaze . " Buona notte , Delilah . Dormi bene . " ( " Good night , Delilah . Sleep well . " ) " Good night , " Delilah replied . Afterwards , Delilah and Mary made their way out of the mansion with Marco following closely behind . When they reached the car , Marco gestured to his driver and gave an order in Italian . " Portale a casa loro . " ( " Take them to their house . " ) The driver nodded . " Si , signore . " ( " Yes , sir . " ) 7 % 15 % 13040 Chapter 7 Delilah , still irritated , didn't pay much attention to the exchange . 11 She was far more concerned with the conversation she had overheard between her aunt and the grandfather . What exactly had they been talking about ? Something about her and the word ' safe ' . 287 bers Why ? Mary , too , seemed lost in her own thoughts as she stepped into the car . She quietly thanked Marco , who responded with a polite smile . " Good night , Aunt Mary , " he said smoothly in English . His tone was calm and professional . As Delilah moved to step into the car , Marco leaned forward , intending to plant a kiss on her cheek as a parting gesture . After all , she was his fiancée , and such a gesture would seem appropriate . But before he could , Delilah swiftly slipped into the car , slamming the door shut before he had the chance . Marco stood there for a moment , his smile faltering , while Mary gave him an apologetic yet friendly wave from inside the car . 88.14 % 13:04 Chapter 7 1288 Vouche He waved back , watching as the vehicle pulled away from the mansion . 13040